Fiscal Year 2025 Expanded Hours. - In the United States there are over 1,400 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide affordable, high-quality healthcare to more than 31.5 million people annually. These centers operate in every state, U.S. territory, and the District of Columbia, offering care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. They enhance access to essential primary care services by overcoming cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language barriers. Miami-Dade County, Florida, with a population of over 2.7 million, is the state's largest and most populous county. The county spans 1,898 square miles and comprises 34 municipalities. Nearly 13% of Florida's population resides in Miami-Dade, where women make up 51%, men comprise 49%, and the median age is 40. The county is one of the most diverse in the state, predominantly consisting of ethnic minorities. Hispanics constitute 69% of the population, while among non-Hispanics, Blacks represent 44.8%, Whites 42.8%, and Asians 4.9%. Over half (54.1%) of Miami residents were born abroad, making the county a primary entry point for immigrants and refugees from South America and the Caribbean, particularly Cuba, Haiti, and Central America. More than 92% of Miami's foreign-born residents speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish and Haitian Creole being the most common. Additionally, 56.6% of these residents speak English less than "very well." The county's diverse cultural and ethnic landscape underscores the necessity for affordable, culturally competent, and linguistically appropriate healthcare and ancillary services. Camillus Health Concern, Inc. (CHC) offers comprehensive primary healthcare services to people experiencing homelessness and recently arrived migrants in Miami-Dade County. Established in 1984 as a private, non-profit organization, CHC has provided healthcare and related services to the county's homeless population. Since 1989, CHC has been a Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH) grantee through the Bureau of Primary Health Care and became a designated FQHC in 1996. With 40 years of experience, CHC is dedicated to meeting the needs of its target population, operating four sites Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am to 5pm and Wednesday from 8am to 7pm. CHC's extensive experience enables it to deliver comprehensive services across the life cycle, helping to increase access to care, reduce health disparities, and improve the health status of the county's homeless and migrant populations. In 2023, CHC served 6,050 individuals, generating over 35,000 visits. These included 19,063 (54%) medical service visits, 11,321 (32%) behavioral health visits, and 5,236 (14%) oral health visits. Of the patients served, 3,490 (58%) were experiencing homelessness, and 5,717 (95%) reported incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. CHC seeks grant funding to expand access and reduce barriers to high-quality primary care at its main location (Greer Building) and one of its satellite sites (NCL Campus) by increasing service hours for primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and dental care based on patient needs and community demands. CHC plans to extend its service hours at Greer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 am to 7 pm, adding two additional hours for primary care, behavioral health, and pediatrics. Additionally, dental care services will begin an hour earlier, starting at 7 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, to enhance access. At the NCL Campus, CHC plans to extend its hours of operation on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 am to 7 pm, offering two additional hours of service in the evening. The proposed expansion was informed by results from our patient surveys, aligns with feedback from our Consumer Advisory Board, and is supported by key stakeholders like Camillus House and Salvation Army, our community housing partners. This expansion will enable CHC to better meet community needs and enhance health outcomes.
